1 Peter 1:7
That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
Study Note
Study Note
The 'trial of your faith' is compared to gold refined in fire — yet declared 'much more precious than of gold,' because faith yields praise, honor, and glory at Christ's revelation while gold merely perishes. The metallurgical metaphor for purifying faith appears also in Zechariah 13:9, Job 23:10, and Proverbs 17:3, grounding 1 Peter's counsel in a well-established biblical theology of suffering as refinement. The eschatological orientation — everything oriented toward the 'appearing of Jesus Christ' — is characteristic of 1 Peter's pastoral strategy: present suffering is re-evaluated in light of future glory.
Other Translations
that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold that perisheth though it is proved by fire, may be found unto praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ:
that the proof of your faith--much more precious than of gold that is perishing, and through fire being approved--may be found to praise, and honour, and glory, in the revelation of Jesus Christ,
So that the true metal of your faith, being of much greater value than gold (which, though it comes to an end, is tested by fire), may come to light in praise and glory and honour, at the revelation of Jesus Christ:
Cross References
Wherefore the Lord God of Israel saith, I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should …
But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.
For thou, O God, hast proved us: thou hast tried us, as silver is tried.
Thou hast caused men to ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water: but thou broughtest us …
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.
She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.
My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver.
How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!
The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the Lord trieth the hearts.
But those riches perish by evil travail: and he begetteth a son, and there is nothing in his hand.